| You probably walk across
one every day. Most people do as the final stage in
their commute to work. Depending on weather conditions,
you've probably seen people stand and wipe as well
as scrape their feet on an entrance mat at the front
or rear entry doors. The construction of the mat almost
encourages it, if not demands it. Great quality mats
are like that. They get the job done because they
are like the proverbial sentinel forever alert outside
the building encouraging clean shoes, and guarding
the inside from dirt, dust, grime, mud, water, and
all other things that push up indoor floor maintenance
costs.
Writing in an article in Shopping Center World, author,
Paul Clark says "up to 24 pounds of dirt can be
tracked in by just 1,000 people coming through an entrance
over a 20-day work period" Mat manufacturers such
as Kleen-Tex say that it can cost up to $600 to remove
one pound of dirt from a building. Other sources such
as American Institute of Architects say that dusting,
vacuuming, mopping, waxing, and stripping floors to
eliminate grit, dust, and dirt from floors can range
from 30 percent to 50 percent of total cleaning budget.
Dust Control Association cites a general rule in building
maintenance industry, i.e. for every dollar spent keeping
dirt outside, owners and managers will save $10 in cleaning
costs. This is important when you consider that entry
of dirt, grime, dust and grit into buildings means erosion
of floor polish or premature fading of expensive carpets.
A 3M study reveals that when 1,500 individuals walk
through |
the entrance of a building
with no front entrance mat, up to 42 percent of the
floor finish can be damaged or removed within the
first six feet of the inside entrance. The cost of
cleaning is mostly in labor. On the other hand, the
mat occupies a small area, yet collects all that grime
and dirt, and is much less costly to clean and maintain.
Seems like a “no-brainer.” While a mat
program should be the main line of defense, other
things can be done to minimize entry of dirt and grim
into buildings and associated costs.
Conduct an Exterior Survey
To prevent dirt and pollutants from entering buildings,
experts agree that an exterior analysis is needed
first. The exterior environment of each building will
vary, but in order to ensure the maximum protection
of tenants and building interior, a good understanding
of exterior conditions, sources of pollutants, and
situations that cause pollutions is needed.
At a minimum, this can be accomplished by conducting
an exterior survey and recording findings. Examine weather
conditions, roads, walkways, trees and shrubbery, and
surfaces that may be inadequately drained. In addition,
look at sources of pollution and damage that might result
from pigeons, birds, fountains, decorative ponds, and
trash. Use your finding as input into a master strategy
to keep the enemy dirt out of your building. |
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